Rents and portfolios affected by political uncertainty

A third of landlords have hiked rental prices according to the research by Foundation Home Loans.

Rents and portfolios affected by political uncertainty

Many landlords have reviewed their portfolio sizes and increased rents in response to the ongoing political uncertainty in the UK.

The latest research by Foundation Home Loans revealed that over a third (38%) of UK landlords said they had reviewed the size of their portfolios to ensure they

Jeff Knight, marketing director at Foundation Home Loans, said: “Landlords have been met with a raft of changes, from stamp duty charges to shifts in tax policy, and the lack of certainty on the political front has clouded the picture somewhat.”

A total of 30% of landlords have hiked rental prices, with the greatest proportion doing so in the East Midlands (41%).

A further 7% have sold off properties to either reduce portfolio sizes or diversity, rising to 19% for those holding 20 properties or more as PRA policy change approaches.

Knight added: “The fact remains that, whether it’s as a stepping stone to home ownership or a longer term lifestyle decision for tenants, the rental sector is an increasingly important part of the housing mix.”

Almost three quarters (71%) of landlords said they had experienced a drop in confidence, rising to 78% for those operating in central and outer London.